Bethel Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch: Sunday, January 20, 1929
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 20, 1929
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Patrolman Eugene Jones shot and killed by a prisoner who had been arrested for larceny in Bethel.
The man had been given a bond by the village mayor and told Patrolman Jones that he had family in Robersonville who could provide it. Patrolman Jones agreed to take him to Robersonville. During the trip along the Bethel-Williamson Highway, the subject was able to gain control of Patrolman Jones' service weapon and shot him several times, leaving him on the side of the rural road. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman Jones was able to walk a considerable distance before collapsing and dying. His body was found on the morning of Sunday, January 20th, 1929.
The man fled to New York but was apprehended several months later after returning to North Carolina. He was convicted of Patrolman Jones' murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. After being paroled he committed a second murder in Atlanta, Georgia. He was returned to prison where he later died.
Patrolman Jones was survived by his wife and nine children.